GLAAD - Rusa LGBThttp://www.glaad.org/tags/rusa-lgbt
enVIDEO: Tell IKEA not to erase LGBT families in Russiahttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-tell-ikea-not-erase-lgbt-families-russia
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/IKEA%20RUSA%20LGBT.jpg?itok=N-lVn1nU" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>IKEA made headlines last month when <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/21/ikea-lesbian-couple-russian-edition-magazine">they removed an article about a British lesbian couple and their son</a> from the Russian version of the company's internationally distributed magazine, IKEA Family Live, for fear of receiving backlash. Now, RUSA LGBT <a href="http://www.change.org/IKEARussia">needs your help</a> in sending the message that LGBT families do not deserve to be erased.</p>
<p>RUSA LGBT, an organization of Russian and Russian-speaking advocates dedicated to equality for LGBT people,<a href="http://www.change.org/IKEARussia"> has created a petition</a> via Change.org, asking the Swedish-based company to place the couple in the magazine's next Russian edition and to speak out against the Russian government's anti-LGBT "propaganda laws."</p>
<p>The petition reads, "As a company with a strong history of supporting LGBT rights, IKEA could have strongly condemned Russia’s anti-LGBT laws -- laws that continue to allow authorities to arrest LGBT people in Russia, and laws that give cover to groups that terrorize Russia’s LGBT citizens -- and included the photo of Clara and Kirsty."<img class="media-image media-image-right" id="2" style="float: right;;;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/RUSA%20LGBT_1.png?itok=RqprIeeX" alt="" /></p>
<p>Russia's vague anti-LGBT laws virtually silence the LGBT community and erase its existence. They have also inspired ongoing violent crimes, such as against an <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/attack-russian-hivaids-group">HIV/AIDS group</a> and a <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/gas-attack-moscow-gay-nightclub">nightclub</a>, as well as in the form of <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/transgender-russian-woman-who-took-her-own-life-after-being-fired-honored-red-square">discrimination that's lead to</a> death by suicide. As a result, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/scores-lgbt-russians-seek-asylum-united-states">scores of LGBT Russian people are seeking asylum</a> in other countries.</p>
<p>The decision to exclude lesbian parents from the publication is especially alarming, as members of Russian Parliament tried and will try again <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/russian-bill-taking-children-lgbt-parents-withdrawn">to have forcibly remove children</a> from their LGBT parents.</p>
<p>Just this week, Russia's President Vladimir Putin <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/president-vladimir-putin-hails-russias-defence-of-traditional-values-in-his-state-of-the-nation-speech-9001470.html">reinforced the government's anti-LGBT actions in his State of the Nation address</a>. Of the 25 countries in which IKEA Family Live is distributed, Russia is the only one to receive an edition that was lesbian-free.</p>
<p>This isn't the first time IKEA has <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304607104579211533237694524">caused a stir for its editorial choices</a>. In 2012, the company removed a picture of young people from its Russian website for fear it would be interpreted as support for the band Pussy Riot. The same year, IKEA took out all pictures of women in the version of its catalogue that was distributed in Saudi Arabia. The company apologized for the latter edits.</p>
<p>"Yet deleting LGBT people from their Russian publications is okay? Shouldn’t that also conflict with IKEA’s core company values?" asks RUSA LGBT. They close the petition with the chilling question, "if progressive and friendly IKEA erases us, who will stand up for us?"</p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/russian-lgbt-advocates-explain-what-we-can-do-help">GLAAD and RUSA LGBT continue their collaboration</a> in bringing safety and equality to Russia's LGBT community, as GLAAD brings grassroots advocates and their dedicated efforts to the mainstream media's recognition.</p>
<p>While IKEA's decision to remove the LGBT family from its magazine gained national attention, RUSA LGBT's response is doing so as well. Watch MSNBC's segment below:</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/l_VPeURQl90" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://www.change.org/IKEARussia">Have you signed the petition yet</a>?</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">December 12, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/family">Family</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ikea">IKEA</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/rusa-lgbt">Rusa LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/russia">Russia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/anti-gay-propaganda">anti-gay propaganda</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/changeorg">Change.org</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/vladimir-putin">Vladimir Putin</a></li>
</ul>
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Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:56:23 +0000alexandrabolles69283 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-tell-ikea-not-erase-lgbt-families-russia#commentsRussian LGBT advocates explain what we can do to helphttp://www.glaad.org/blog/russian-lgbt-advocates-explain-what-we-can-do-help
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/RUSA%20LGBT.png?itok=UWwCztHn" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GLAAD has been working with Russian and Russian-speaking advocates to tell the story of what is happening in Russia to the world. This week, spokespeople from <a href="http://rusalgbt.com/">RUSA LGBT</a>, an organization of Russian and Russian-speaking LGBT people living in the United States, have earned several media hits and opportunities to tell their story and tell a US audience what they can do to help.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, Yelena Goltsman, co-president of RUSA LGBT, appeared on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/gay-witch-hunt-russia_n_3865924.html">HuffPost Live</a> to discuss Russia's continued crackdown on LGBT people, and on President Obama's meeting with Russian LGBT advocates alongside the G-20 Summit. This was Goltsman's second appearance on HuffPost Live to discuss Russia. She appeared earlier this summer with GLAAD National Spokesperson, Omar Sharif Jr. to talk about Russia. Since then, the new laws have been proposed to limit blood donations by gay men, to set up a national "ex-gay" program, and to remove children from parents accused of being gay.</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YlKykdVEXtA" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>On Thursday, Russian LGBT advocate, Oleg Jelezniakov spoke to <a href="http://www.arise.tv/headline/arise-america-05-09-3296">ARISE TV</a>, which broadcasts in the United States, Europe, and Africa. Oleg explained that the only thing that the Russian population hears about LGBT people comes from the state-run news service. Therefore, the population doesn’t know real, actual LGBT people, but only believes the stereotypes and misinformation put forth by anti-LGBT politicians.</p>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3-A7HI9Wqio" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p>On Friday, Nina Long, the other co-president of RUSA LGBT, joined Nancy Goldstein to publish an op-ed in <a href="http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/09/06/olympic-sponsors-coca-cola-and-mcdonalds-must-stand-up-to-russias-anti-gay-laws?page=2">US News &amp; World Report</a>. In the op-ed they target sponsors of the Olympic Games, which are scheduled to be held in Sochi, Russia this winter. Long and Goldstein note that the corporations, who are generally LGBT friendly in the US, have been strangely silent about Russia’s new anti-LGBT laws and violence against LGBT people. They lay out concrete steps that each of these major corporations can take to truly demonstrate their commitment to protections for LGBT people in Russia, including their own employees.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>This kind of corporate consistency is not only key to maintaining each company's integrity: it also ensures compliance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which state that, "All business enterprises have the same responsibility to respect human rights wherever they operate."</em></p>
<p><em>The time has come for American companies doing business in Russia to demonstrate that their own clearly stated corporate values and policies hold true wherever they set up shop. To do otherwise would mean profiting from their progressive reputation in the West while propping up a homophobic, increasingly fascistic regime in Sochi and beyond.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Each one of these Russian LGBT leaders have been speaking out for their friends and family in Russia, providing a glimpse into what LGBT people are facing in Russia. Their voice is important, and GLAAD thanks them for speaking out. We will continue to raise up voices of LGBT people in Russia and call for the safety and protections of LGBT people around the world.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 7, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/family">Family</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/russia">Russia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/olympics">Olympics</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/rusa-lgbt">Rusa LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/huffington-post">Huffington Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/us-news-world-report">US News &amp; World Report</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/arise-tv">ARISE TV</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Sat, 07 Sep 2013 12:15:37 +0000rossmurray67973 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/russian-lgbt-advocates-explain-what-we-can-do-help#commentsSnapshots: Russia, The CW's Capture, and your top LGBT film characterhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/snapshots-russia-cws-capture-and-your-top-lgbt-film-character
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-2-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/snapshots%2520featured_5_15.png?itok=FWzpUpuU" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Wonder what we’re up to at GLAAD?</p>
<p>Be sure to check out GLAAD's Blog each week for updates about our latest work to build support for LGBT equality through news, entertainment and online media.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="425" id="2" style="height: 425px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/respecttranspeople_1.jpg?itok=twwbR5Q7" alt="" /></p>
<p>GLAAD and over 40 organizations <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/private-chelsea-mannings-story-wakeup-call-national-news-coverage-transgender-people">released a statement</a> calling on journalists to improve their coverage of transgender people following Private Chelsea Manning's statement that she is female. The immediate news coverage, as well as the follow up analysis, brought into sharp focus the national news media's frequently inaccurate and uninformed coverage of transgender people. Following outreach from GLAAD, USAToday.com removed a problematic info-graphic featured in several stories running on the newspaper's website about Chelsea Manning. The graphic showed an outline of a human body next to a list of several surgical procedures and their estimated costs, none of which are relevant to Private Manning's announcement that she is transgender. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/private-chelsea-mannings-story-wakeup-call-national-news-coverage-transgender-people">Read more.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="204" id="2" style="height: 204px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/1236173_665415016819361_846378344_n_0.jpg?itok=-HNAuHj7" alt="" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/photos-join-glaad-global-speak-out-russia-around-world">GLAAD partnered with All Out to sponsor</a> the Global Speak Out for Russia on September 3. People around the world are gathering together to speak out for love and hope for LGBT people in Russia, and push our world leaders to call on President Putin to repeal the anti-gay law. GLAAD <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/photos-join-glaad-global-speak-out-russia-around-world">shared images</a> of the demonstrations, including a thank you from the people of Russia. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/photos-join-glaad-global-speak-out-russia-around-world">Read more.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="425" id="2" style="height: 425px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/RUSA%20LGBT_0.png?itok=3kVmmiNn" alt="" /></p>
<p>Last week, LGBT Russian advocates with RUSA LGBT spoke to several media outlets about the ongoing persecution of LGBT people in Russia and what people in the United States can do to help. GLAAD worked alongside RUSA LGBT to train spokespeople how best to communicate through the media and how to highlight their message using the most effective language possible. Advocates appeared on HuffPost Live, ARISE TV, and US News &amp; World Report. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/russian-lgbt-advocates-explain-what-we-can-do-help">Read more.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="281" id="2" style="height: 281px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/mary-lambert-2013-650-430_0.jpg?itok=YkxNv38V" alt="" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/recording-artist-mary-lambert-chats-glaad-about-mtvs-vmas-and-adorable-lesbian-films">GLAAD spoke this week with out singer-songwriter Mary Lambert of "Same Love" and "She Keeps Me Warm" fame</a> about her performance on the MTV VMA's with Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Jennifer Hudson; her new "She Keeps Me Warm" video; and what she has coming up next. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/manhattan">Lambert will be performing at GLAAD Manhattan this Thursday, September 12</a>. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/recording-artist-mary-lambert-chats-glaad-about-mtvs-vmas-and-adorable-lesbian-films">Read more.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="361" id="2" style="height: 361px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/rebecca-james-wallington-of-cws-capture-5a15d09100641ef0_0.jpg?itok=Va57lKem" alt="" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/james-wallington-cws-capture-talks-glaad-about-breaking-stereotypes-and-reality-television">James Wallington, an out contestant on the CW's new extreme competition reality show<em> Capture</em>, spoke with GLAAD this week about reality TV and breaking stereotypes.</a> "I am who I am and I'm extremely proud of who I am and where I come from. At the end of the day, I'd like to think that I did break some stereotypes," he said. Wallington was recently eliminated, but you can still catch him as the co-host of the <em><a href="http://site.afterbuzztv.com/cat_shows/capture-afterbuzz-tv-aftershow/">Capture AfterShow online at AfterBuzz TV</a></em>. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/james-wallington-cws-capture-talks-glaad-about-breaking-stereotypes-and-reality-television">Read more.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="330" id="2" style="height: 330px; width: 425px; margin: 5px;;;;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Ennis-Del-Mar-Brokeback-Mountain_0.jpg?itok=tmaH7Kh5" alt="" /></p>
<p>With the release of GLAAD's first <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/first-annual-studio-responsibility-index-finds-lack-substantial-lgbt-characters-mainstream">Studio Responsibility Index</a>, we asked you to tell us who your all-time favorite LGBT film characters were and the results are in! <em>Brokeback Mountain</em>'s Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) was voted as the <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/results-your-favorite-lgbt-film-characters-and-who-passed-russo-test">top LGBT film character of all time. Check out the full list here</a>! And tell us what films you've seen this year that you think pass the Vito Russo Test! <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/results-your-favorite-lgbt-film-characters-and-who-passed-russo-test">Read more.</a></p>
<p>To get the latest updates and take part in GLAAD’s work to build support for LGBT equality, be sure to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/glaad">‘like’ us on Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/glaad">follow us on Twitter</a>!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 9, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/music">Music</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/local-and-regional-news">Local and Regional News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/snapshots">Snapshots</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mary-lambert">Mary Lambert</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/music">Music</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/capture">Capture</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/james-wallington">James Wallington</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/studio-responsibility-index">Studio Responsibility Index</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo-test">Vito Russo Test</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/russo-test">Russo Test</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brokeback-mountain">Brokeback Mountain</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/imagine-me-and-you">Imagine Me and You</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/im-cheerleader">But I&#039;m a Cheerleader</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hedwig-and-angry-inch">Hedwig and the Angry Inch</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lost-and-delirious">Lost and Delirious</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bound">Bound</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/latter-days">Latter Days</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/world-unseen">The World Unseen</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/rent">Rent</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/chelsea-manning">Chelsea Manning</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-news">National News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/usa-today">USA Today</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/new-york-times">New York Times</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/cnn">CNN</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/npr">NPR</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/nbc">NBC</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fox-news">Fox News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/reuters">Reuters</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/washington-post">Washington Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/diamond-williams">Diamond Williams</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/islan-nettles">Islan Nettles</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/russia">Russia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/g20">G20</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/president-barack-obama">President Barack Obama</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/all-out">All Out</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/olympics">Olympics</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/rusa-lgbt">Rusa LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/huffington-post">Huffington Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/us-news-world-report">US News &amp; World Report</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/arise-tv">ARISE TV</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 06 Sep 2013 19:00:09 +0000ryanhoulihan67965 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/snapshots-russia-cws-capture-and-your-top-lgbt-film-character#comments"Logo Town Hall" Opens Dialogue on LGBT Discrimination in Russiahttp://www.glaad.org/blog/logo-town-hall-opens-dialogue-lgbt-discrimination-russia
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-3-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/russia-may-day-3-630x439.jpg?itok=uqcmx2Fh" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>What's happening to LGBT people in Russia? What exactly is "gay propaganda," the subject of Russia's prohibitive new law? How should the LGBT community in the United States respond? <a href="http://www.logotv.com/" target="_blank">Logo TV</a>, in conjunction with <a href="https://www.allout.org/en" target="_blank">AllOut.org</a>, will begin to answer these questions and more during a live, interactive discussion on <strong>Tuesday, September 10, at 4pm EST</strong>, on <a href="http://www.newnownext.com/logo-russia-town-hall/09/2013/" target="_blank">NewNowNext.com</a>. Featuring a roundtable of organizers, legal experts, and Olympic athletes, the hour-long program will "explore the facts and myths surrounding the law and the international backlash — which has included a boycott on Russian products — as well as the controversy surrounding the US participation in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics."</p>
<p>In response to a flurry of news reports and photo-essays revealing the severity of <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/two-steps-forward-one-step-back-international-lgbt-rights-front" target="_blank">state-sanctioned homophobia</a> in the former Soviet nation, LGBT communities around the world have demanded a range of actions. Reminiscent of Harvey Milk's Coors boycott in the early 1970s, some activists have called for a boycott of Russian vodka. And drawing comparisons with Nazi Germany's 1936 Summer Olympics, many LGBT organizers and journalists have provoked criticism of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the International Olympic Committee. Last Tuesday, September 3, GLAAD partnered with AllOut.org, an LGBT group on the movement's international front, to organize a <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/photos-join-glaad-global-speak-out-russia-around-world" target="_blank">Global Speakout for Russia</a> to send messages of support and solidarity to LGBT people in Russia. The speakout spanned 34 cities in 21 countries, amplifying the voices of supporters of equality and their message that "Love Always Wins."</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="316" id="2" width="424" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/9664618863_cd6543c3be_b_0.jpg?itok=joevgTaw" alt="" /></p>
<p>While these calls to action have drawn substantial visibility to this issue, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the many dimensions to a conflict largely taking place a hemisphere away. Part of The Logo Town Hall series, which aims to "deliver thought-provoking, balanced discussions surrounding issues facing the LGBT community," "Logo Town Hall: Russia vs. The Gays" will help break down precisely what's going on in Russia, as well as the responses of groups outside Russia. The program, streamed live, will allow viewers to participate in the discussion using the hashtag #LogoTownHall on Twitter, Instagram, and even Vine. Viewers can also submit questions and reactions by posting them to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/logo?ref=br_tf&amp;rf=108283589223802" target="_blank">Logo's Facebook page</a>. </p>
<p>Hosted by former ESPN radio host Jared Max, the round-table discussion will feature guests including Andre Banks, Co-Founder and Executive Director at AllOut.org; Olympic champion diver Greg Louganis; Roman Mamonov, a Russian freelance journalist and recent asylum applicant; and Nina Long, Co-President of RUSA LGBT. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/snapshots-our-work-rusa-lgbt-josh-thomas-and-molotov" target="_blank">GLAAD has been working closely with RUSA LGBT</a>, an organization advocating on behalf of LGBT Russians, to ensure that their stories are shared on national and international media outlets.</p>
<p>Logo Town Hall will be streaming live on <a href="http://www.newnownext.com" target="_blank">NewNowNext.com</a> on <strong>Tuesday, September 10, at 4pm EST</strong>. You can start submitting questions and comments now, though, on Logo's Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/logo" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/logo</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 6, 2013</span></div></div></div>
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<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/television">Television</a></li>
</ul>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/russia">Russia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/rusa-lgbt">Rusa LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/logo">Logo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/all-out">All Out</a></li>
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Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:43:55 +0000dougkeeler67960 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/logo-town-hall-opens-dialogue-lgbt-discrimination-russia#commentsMasha Gessen fighting for LGBT rights in Russia on the international stagehttp://www.glaad.org/blog/masha-gessen-fighting-lgbt-rights-russia-international-stage
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-4-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="4" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/masha-portrait_2147857b.jpg?itok=ol0U1-UJ" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Masha Gessen, an openly lesbian Russian-American reporter, is taking a strong role on the international stage, discussing the anti-LGBT legislation and accompanying violence in Russia.</p>
<p>Masha Gessen is the founder of The Pink Triangle Campaign, the author of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Man-Without-Face-Unlikely/dp/1594486514">The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin</a>, </em>as well as a contributing writer to <em>The New Republic, New Statesman, Granta, Slate, Vanity Fair,</em> and <em>US News &amp; World Report</em>.</p>
<p>Gessen appeared on <a href="http://video.msnbc.msn.com/all-in-/52823552#52823552">MSNBC</a> on Thursday to discuss the history of LGBT issues in her native Russia and the current atrocities LGBT people are facing daily.</p>
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<p>Gessen will be appearing in New York to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/611130192264476/">speak at the CBST Shabbat services</a> tonight at 7 p.m. Tonight's (and this week's) services will focus on the homophobia issues plauging Russia. The event, organized by <a href="http://rusalgbt.com/">Rusa LGBT</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/611130192264476/">asks you to</a> "Come early and bring your friends, straight or LGBT, Jew and non-Jew for memorable experience during the services and the schmooze right after the services. Services start at 7 PM and schmooze will start at about 8:30 - 8:45 PM." The event is located at 296 9th Ave. at W 28th St.</p>
<p>GLAAD has been working closely with <a href="http://rusalgbt.com/">Rusa LGBT</a>, an organization that works to support LGBT Russians, are collaborating with multiple organizations to address the ongoing persecution of LGBT Russians, who are facing extreme violence and oppression due to the recent passage of the country's draconian 'anti-gay propaganda' law.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">August 23, 2013</span></div></div></div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a></li>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/russia">Russia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt">Lgbt</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/masha-gessen">Masha Gessen</a>, </li>
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Fri, 23 Aug 2013 16:40:34 +0000ryanhoulihan67745 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/masha-gessen-fighting-lgbt-rights-russia-international-stage#comments